Jailed Israeli conscientious objector against Gaza offensive calls for end to military draft

An Israeli teenager has taken a bold stand against his country’s military offensive in Gaza, refusing to serve in the army as a protest against what he describes as “genocide” against civilians in the Palestinian territory. Yuval Moav, 18, was jailed for rejecting compulsory military service in response to the ongoing Israeli operations in Gaza, which have intensified since Oct. 7.

Moav, who has already served a 30-day sentence in an Israeli military prison, told Anadolu that he intends to resist the draft as long as possible. He expressed his belief that the Israeli government is responsible for turning Gaza into a “wasteland” and pushing Palestinians to the brink of starvation.

“I’m 18 years old and I refuse to be a partner in the genocide,” Moav said. “You can be imprisoned for up to 30 days for refusing to enlist, but when you’re released, you’re re-enlisted. I will refuse to be drafted again, and I think this cycle will continue for maybe six months.”

Moav, who remains defiant, emphasized his commitment to opposing what he called a campaign of destruction against Palestinians. “There are people who oppose these massacres in Israel for various reasons, but it’s very unfortunate because we’re few in number,” he said.

Call to the Jewish community

Moav urged members of the Jewish community to follow his example and refuse military service, stating that participating in the Israeli army would be an indelible mark on their conscience. “I’ll finish my prison sentence and go back to my privileged life,” he said. “If you join the Israeli army now, it would be a stain on your life forever. It will haunt you forever. I will do it because I won’t be an accomplice to genocide.”

Moav stressed that his decision is rooted in solidarity with Palestinians, acknowledging that his life will resume its privileges once his sentence ends. He made it clear that his conscience would not allow him to ignore what he believes is happening in Gaza.

“First of all, I’d like to say that I stand in solidarity with my Palestinian brothers and sisters,” he stated, adding that he believes the Israeli army is deliberately targeting Palestinians.

Controversy over military conscription

Moav’s refusal to serve comes at a time when the issue of military conscription in Israel remains a deeply divisive topic. While secular Israelis like Moav and some Ultra-Orthodox Jews (Haredim) object to military service, the Haredi community has historically been exempt from conscription, a policy that has sparked debate for years.

Recent developments have brought these issues back into the spotlight. Earlier this year, the Israeli army announced plans to extend the service terms for conscripts and reservists, even as exemptions for Haredi men remain a contentious issue. The Israeli Supreme Court ruled to freeze government funding for yeshivas—religious schools that exempt students from military service—which has led to concerns about the future of military exemptions and strained political alliances.

Despite this, Haredi leaders have largely continued to support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, trusting that his government will protect their community’s religious exemptions from military service.

Moav’s stand adds another dimension to the ongoing debate over military service in Israel, especially amid the backdrop of the country’s military actions in Gaza. As he faces the likelihood of further imprisonment, Moav remains resolute in his commitment to resisting what he believes is an unjust and harmful system.

“The killing of tens of thousands of innocents in Gaza is unacceptable,” he said. “This is what I can do. We stand against it, and we’re not going anywhere. When the day comes, we will build a better society together.”